Coast Guard assists 8 people aboard sinking boat

HOUSTON – The Coast Guard assisted the crew aboard a 30-foot offshore supply vessel, which began taking on water late this afternoon, 8-miles south of the Sabine Jetties in Sabine, Texas.

Watchstanders at Sector Houston-Galveston received a call at 4:40 p.m., from the crew of the vessel Duke that the boat they were aboard was taking on water. Three smallboat crews from Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur and one rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station Sabine Pass were in the vacinity conducting training exercises and immediately responded.

Coast Guard crewmembers rescued seven people from the Duke. The eighth crewmember, the captain of the Duke, voluntarily remained onboard to dewater the boat.